US requires researchers to declare China, transgender ties

Australian researchers who collaborate with United States federal agencies have been asked to declare links to China and if they comply with US President Donald Trump’s two-gender policy, sparking fears their funding could be cut if they fall foul of his anti-DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), America First agenda, writes Julie Hare for Australian Financial Review.

In recent weeks, a 36-point questionnaire was sent directly to Australians who conduct joint research with US partners in fields as diverse as foreign aid, medicine, vaccines and defence. The questionnaire circumvented university leaders and administrators and, in at least one instance, gave a 48-hour deadline, according to sources who have seen the correspondence but were not authorised to speak publicly.

Australian universities have written to US science committee chairman Ted Cruz, raising their concerns about the 36-point questionnaire. “Can you confirm that your organisation has not received ANY funding from PRC [People’s Republic of China] (including Confucius Institutes and-or partnered with Chinese state and non-state actors), Russia, Cuba or Iran,” one question asks.
Full report on the Australian Financial Review site